p.1 #3 · Some clues to the future of the M an R Leica systems
Interesting, but actual product is far, far away.
Aug 16, 2007 at 06:38 PM
jjlphoto Offline • • • • • [X]
p.1 #4 · Some clues to the future of the M an R Leica systems
Here's my take on this: People nowadays really expect auto-focus. Aging eyes, the trends of fast action work, etc., etc.
I know countless photogs who have moved away from Hasselblad V system to the Canon EOS DSLR just to get AF, (H3 is too pricey for most), and I also read reports that many Contax 645 users are uncomfortable with the slow way it autofocuses when they see what Canon DSLR folks are doing. That leaves the Leica M system for the manual/rangefinder focus purists. A SLR platform will never fly without the AF merely because that's what people expect nowadays. I still have a few manual focus Zeiss and Leica lenses (two wides and a macro), but I decided to go with the converted Contax-N lenses for my Canon just to get the AF.
p.1 #5 · Some clues to the future of the M an R Leica systems
On the link there is an interesting thought by one of the commenters..
He predicts a CL type of, cheaper, leica to go with the new 2.5 "budget" lenses.
p.1 #6 · Some clues to the future of the M an R Leica systems
Aww, come now.
AF only? Now thats a load of crock.
Yes, AF can be nice for some works, and it has some good advantages, however, even with Nikon and Canon top lines, it twitchy, and its a 70/30 ratio for keepers.
With manual focus, its 90/10.
I give that it is nice to have for days you feel lazy as al get out, but its a feature set just like program modes and aperture priority. you dont need them, and frankly, using them detracts from part of the experience.
And even with the best of cameras, low light work, is nearly impossible with AF.
Aug 17, 2007 at 01:24 PM
jjlphoto Offline • • • • • [X]
p.1 #7 · Some clues to the future of the M an R Leica systems
I generally agree with that, but now that the AF genie is out of the bottle, it is nearly impossible to go back. I used to work with a guy who shot weddings with an RB67! Think he'd want to do that now?
p.1 #8 · Some clues to the future of the M an R Leica systems
I am a landscaper and shoot things that don't move ... i moved away from AF to manual glass because I had to have the best glass and it wasn't the canon AF lenses
p.1 #9 · Some clues to the future of the M an R Leica systems
AF is a must for the mass market, which, amazingly, DSLR's have become with the advent of digital. Just look at how the numbers of units sold has skyrocketed in the last year, or look at all the people carrying dslr's. That being said, it may be that at least one manual focus system with superior glass, such as Leica R or even M may survive as a niche player. Perhaps there are enough people like jonboring, scribble, and a variety of specialized users to keep them afloat.
p.1 #10 · Some clues to the future of the M an R Leica systems
jonboring wrote:
I am a landscaper and shoot things that don't move ... i moved away from AF to manual glass because I had to have the best glass and it wasn't the canon AF lenses
I'm a wildlifer and I shoot things that move, sometimes very quickly. I want to be able to focus quickly and accurately on any part of the viewscreen, wherever the critter jinks to. AF in its current state of development doesn't do that for me, and AF viewfinders are sub-optimum for manual focus.
p.1 #11 · Some clues to the future of the M an R Leica systems
I never used AF for my macro work and since having added a leica R8/DMR to my canon lineup, I've realized that MF works better in a lot of circumstances even with my Canon gear. That said, I really enjoyed the 45pt selectable focus on my 1Ds which was quite accurate.
So horses for courses I guess. I'm not really looking for AF in the next Leica R but rather full frame or close to it and better high ISO images. I'd also like a bigger brighter viewfinder.
p.1 #13 · Some clues to the future of the M an R Leica systems
As an aside, the same source which told me some of the things in that thread also told me that Nikon is releasing a D3x soon, with a 1.1x crop factor. I thought that was rather interesting. I wonder if Leica would do that too, taking a step between 1.37x and FF.
